Probiotics in Dental Caries Prevention
The prevalence of oral diseases is increasing and is becoming a major concern in the society. Treatment without prevention is simply unsustainable. One such preventable disease is dental caries. Several strategies for caries prevention have been developed over the years. Bacteriotherapy is one potential method. With better understanding on the importance of a well balanced oral microbial environment for maintaining good dental health, probiotics has gained great momentum in dentistry. The World Health Organization along with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations defined probiotics as “Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. Several probiotic strains have been identified for caries prevention through various experimental studies. However, identifying the right vehicle for administration of probiotics on everyday basis is the need of the hour. Toothpastes, mouthrinses, powders, tablets, lozenges, chewing gums are some probiotic vehicles that have been studied. This paper would throw light on the microbial strains, mechanism of action, forms and future for probiotics in caries prevention.